MRS. BARTLETT--[_With hysterical anger._] Then I’ll tell him myself--of
the murders you did, and--
BARTLETT--[_Grimly._] And I’ll say ’twas done in fair fight to keep them
from stealin’ the gold! I’ll tell him your’s is a woman’s notion, and
he’ll believe me, not you. He’s his father’s son, and he’s set to go. Ye
know it, Sarah. [_She falls back in the chair hopelessly staring at him
with horrified eyes. He turns away and adds after a pause._] So ye’ll
christen the Sarah Allen in the mornin’ afore she sails, won’t ye,
Sarah?
MRS. BARTLETT--[_In a terrified tone._] Yes--if it’s needful to save
Nat--and God’ll forgive me when He sees my reason. But you--Oh, Isaiah!
[_She shudders and then breaks down, sobbing._]
BARTLETT--[_After a pause, turns to her humbly as if asking her
forgiveness._] Ye mustn’t think hard o’ me that I want your name. It’s
because it’s a good woman’s name, and I know it’ll bring luck to our
vige. I’d find it hard to sail without it--the way things be.
MRS. BARTLETT--[_Getting to her feet--in a state of feverish fear of
him._] I’m goin’ to home.
BARTLETT--[_Going to her._] I’ll help ye to the top o’ the hill, Sarah.
MRS. BARTLETT--[_Shrinking from him in terror._] No. Don’t you touch me!
Don’t you touch me! [_She hobbles quickly out of the door in the rear,
looking back frightenedly over her shoulder to see if he is following
as_
[_The Curtain Falls_]